Two ACT Government initiatives that are building stronger, more prepared communities in the face of increasing emergency risks and a changing climate have been recognised with 2025 Resilient Australia ACT Awards.
The awards recognise projects that strengthen disaster resilience across all sectors, from government and health services to community organisations and education providers. Sponsored by the Commonwealth Government and managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, the awards are open to individuals, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, businesses, schools, research bodies and government agencies.
Winners from each jurisdiction go into the mix for national awards later this year.
This year's ACT recipients are:
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Award: Canberra Health Services, for the Stormbirds Disaster Recovery Program. In October 2024, Canberra Health Services funded the training of 41 child and family workers in the Stormbirds program, a small-group wellbeing initiative for children aged 6–14 affected by natural disasters.
The program treats grief as a normal response to change and loss, building mental health resilience by embedding support capacity across government and non-government services. The Stormbirds network now enables co-facilitation with schools, libraries, early childhood centres and general practices, delivering timely and coordinated care for Canberra's youngest residents.
- Government Award: The Justice and Community Safety Directorate's, Security and Emergency Management Division, for the ACT Disaster Resilience Strategy 2024-2030. The Strategy is the first of its kind in the ACT and has transformed how disaster resilience is addressed across the Territory.
It establishes a shared vision for resilience and embeds it across policy settings including the economy, environment, infrastructure and community wellbeing. Developed through extensive consultation, the Strategy is already driving new partnerships and initiatives to strengthen Canberra's ability to resist, manage and recover from disruptive events.
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson, congratulated the ACT winners ahead of the national awards ceremony in November.
"We are proud to support these awards, which foster whole-of-community resilience. It's through collaborative efforts like these that we can truly build a stronger, more prepared Canberra," Minister Paterson said.
"As the impacts of climate change become more evident, it is vital that we work together to prepare for and mitigate the effects of disasters. These awards celebrate the proactive steps our awardees have taken to ensure a safer, more resilient future for all Canberrans."